From Military Engagement to Property Management

Hiring the right property manager can be a tricky task, as they need to get along and coordinate with a lot of people — not least of which are the landlords and tenants — to do the job effectively. Candidates can come from every conceivable background in the related field: some might have home-building experience, others might have previously been in accounting, and others still could have come from a property management firm.

One unrelated professional background that could still serve a property manager well, though? Military training.

A Veteran Background

While experience in a real estate job is inherently desirable for a property management franchise opportunity, it’s not a requirement. So, while military veterans may seem like an odd choice for the job, their lack of industry knowledge initially shouldn’t preclude them from being a good fit. In fact, this environment could be a place where they could thrive. Soldiers undergo intensive training to develop a specific skill set and discipline, as well as promote leadership experience that’s invaluable in any business setting.

The intensive conditioning has given veterans the right traits and attitude to handle several high-stress situations. And this is more important in property management. Here’s a breakdown on why veterans fit the bill for this position.

Grace Under Pressure

Assuming responsibilities for corporate or residential housing can be exciting and demanding at the same time. There’s always a sense of urgency when completing permits, contracts, and other paperwork. A property manager also needs to be available even during nonstandard working hours to respond to concerns by property owners and tenants. This is on top of juggling the requirements of multiple properties that they are responsible for, which include maintenance schedules, organizing renovation projects, checking inventories, and so on.

Veterans have also gone through grueling training to develop quick decision-making capabilities while under pressure. They thrive in environments where multiple things are happening at once, without losing sight of the main objective. The level of training veterans undergo serves them well in the corporate jungle; more so in the high-pressure setting of real estate management.

Systematic and Detail-Oriented

Veterans adhere to a strict set of standard operating procedures, making them exceptional at conducting inspections to ensure everything is in order. Furthermore, their training hones their systematic skills, which is crucial when assembling rifles or managing their supplies inventory and also translates well into the real estate management sphere.

The ability to systematize and organize are valuable traits when managing a property or multiple properties. A veteran’s ability to pay attention to detail can help them spot damage in unlikely areas and allow them to provide comprehensive reports for tenants to ensure a pleasant experience for all parties involved.

Excellent Communication Skills

Being a part of an organization that brings people from all walks of life together contributes greatly to a veteran’s people skills. Moreover, being a soldier demands one to work well with others through communication and trust. This builds respect amongst peers and towards superiors, allowing them to work cohesively as a unit.

As property managers, veterans should be more than capable of dealing with people regardless of their background, culture, or appearance. They’ll only focus on their concerns, how to address them fairly and effectively and provide the best possible solution so that everyone walks away happy.

Property management can be a whirlwind of tasks to get done and people to talk to. In other words, it could be overwhelming. But with the proper attitude and work ethic — such as those typically developed after years of unique training and experience — it’s possible to thrive in such a dynamic industry. Veterans can, therefore, very much succeed as franchisees and business leaders in ways others without a military background can’t.